Chapter 478-128 WAC

ANIMAL CONTROL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

WAC Sections

478-128-010Purpose.

It is the policy of the University of Washington to secure and maintain a level of animal control that protects human health and safety, prevents animals from hindering university employees, students, and members of the public on university property, prevents property damage, and to the greatest degree practicable, prevents cruelty to animals. It is the purpose of these rules to fulfill the objectives of the above policy.

478-128-020Definitions.

"Animal" means any living creature except human beings, fish, any research animal maintained in university facilities, or natural wildlife inhabiting university property. This definition includes, among other things, pets.

"Imminent danger" means a threat to human and/or animal life or university property that is immediate or reasonably foreseeable under the circumstances.

"Organic debris" means animal feces, urine, vomit, blood, etc.

"Owner" means any person having an interest in or right of possession to an animal, or any person having control, custody, or possession of an animal.

"Running at large" means to be off the owner's residential premises and not under the owner's direct control.

"Service animal" means an animal, including guide dogs, individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, as defined by applicable state and/or federal laws, which includes but is not limited to, guiding individuals who are blind or have low vision, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, providing minimal protection, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.

"Service animal in training" means an animal that is being trained for the purpose of assisting or accommodating an individual with a disability as defined by applicable state and/or federal laws.

"University property" means property that the university owns as well as property that the university operates, leases, rents, or otherwise controls.

"Working animal" means an animal that is trained for specific tasks and under the control of police, security or emergency personnel, or other university employees or agents. Examples of working animals include, but are not limited to, patrol, rescue, or sentry dogs and therapy animals.

478-128-030Animal control.

(1) All animals brought onto university property shall be subject to license and leash laws of the applicable city, county, or state jurisdiction.

(2) Except as provided in (a) through (e) of this subsection, no animals shall be allowed in any buildings or structures the university owns, operates, leases, rents, or controls.

(a) "Service animals" and "service animals in training" may be permitted consistent with university policies, and/or state and federal laws.

(b) Working animals under the control of police, security or emergency personnel, or a trained university employee may be permitted for specific functions consistent with the animal's training.

(c) Pets may be permitted in university residences for students, employees, patient's families, and the general public, consistent with housing agreements and policies established for each residence facility.

(d) The recognized university mascot, properly leashed, may be permitted at appropriate university assemblages in auditoria, ballrooms, dining areas, and at athletic events.

(e) Animals included as part of special events may be permitted, subject to guidelines established for specific university facilities and those established by the use of university facilities committee in accordance with chapters 478-136 and 478-137 WAC (for example, hosting a visiting team's animal mascot at Husky football games).

(3) Further restrictions to animals may apply to specific areas of university property, consistent with university policies and/or state and federal laws, including, but not limited to, food preparation areas, animal research facilities and grounds, medically sensitive patient and clinic areas, and biologically sensitive or hazardous research sites.

(4) No animal shall be permitted to run at large on university property. Animals that are tethered in the owner's absence and not under the owner's direct control are also considered to be "running at large."

(5) No animal shall be permitted to enter any pond, fountain, or stream located on university property.

(6) No animal which emits frequent or long-continued noise so as to disturb or disrupt normal administrative or academic routine shall be permitted on university property. Moreover, any animal that places human and/or animal life or university property in imminent danger shall be removed immediately from university property.

(7) Fecal matter or other organic debris deposited by animals must be removed immediately and properly disposed of by the animal's owner.

478-128-040Enforcement and penalties.

(1) Any animal found on university property under conditions violating any provision of this chapter shall be subject to apprehension and impoundment in accordance with the requirements of the applicable university, city, county or state rules, regulations, or laws.

(2) Owners found in violation of any provision of this chapter may be cited, banned from any university property, or otherwise fined or penalized as provided under applicable university, city, county, or state rules, regulations, or laws.